Black Tech Week is rolling back into downtown Cincinnati July 14–16, and the organizers are not exactly easing into it. Red Lobster CEO Damola Adamolekun and former NFL wide receiver Anquan Boldin are topping a three-day lineup of founders, investors and creators, with organizers pitching the festival as a high-energy blend of keynotes, panels and networking aimed squarely at boosting Black-led startups and cultural creators.
Headliners Bringing Corporate Clout and Locker-Room Leadership
Adamolekun is set to deliver the main keynote at BTW26, according to a press release from GlobeNewswire. Adamolekun, who was appointed Red Lobster CEO after the chain’s 2024 restructuring, has been profiled by national outlets as he leads the brand’s turnaround, per Fortune. In the keynote announcement, Lightship Foundation founder Candice Matthews-Brackeen called him a leader whose approach reflects vision, courage and execution.
What’s On Deck for the Three-Day Run
Beyond the headline keynote, Super Bowl champion Anquan Boldin is slated for a Legacy and Leadership conversation tomorrow at Procter & Gamble Hall. Tech and culture mashups are threaded through the schedule, including a session titled Human After All: Creativity in an Algorithmic World on the morning tomorrow, with programming continuing through July 16, as reported by The Cincinnati Enquirer.
Downtown Venues Turn Into a Festival Circuit
The conference footprint stretches across multiple downtown stages and museums. The schedule is anchored by Procter & Gamble Hall at the Aronoff Center and by evening receptions at the American Sign Museum. The Aronoff Center describes Procter & Gamble Hall as its large-capacity theater, and the American Sign Museum notes that it frequently hosts special events, both venues sitting squarely inside the BTW campus.
From Miami Roots to a Cincinnati Home Base
Black Tech Week started in Miami, founded by Felecia Hatcher and Derick Pearson, before being acquired by the Lightship Foundation in 2022 and relocating to Cincinnati, according to Teknovation. Lightship, led by Candice Matthews-Brackeen and Brian Brackeen, has framed the move as an evolution rather than a reset. The festival’s early Miami years and programming were chronicled by outlets such as WLRN, and organizers say the Cincinnati edition is meant to deepen, not replace, those regional ties.
Tickets, Sponsors and What Attendees Can Expect
Tickets are on sale through the Black Tech Week website, and the conference is presented by JobsOhio, according to GlobeNewswire. Organizers are promising a mix of investor matchmaking sessions, startup showcases, a career fair and community-focused activations, all designed to turn quick introductions into longer-term relationships between founders and local partners.
